The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1) in Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge

Feb 09, 2010 Kristen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: drama, sci-fi, ya, 2010

I could have read this book in about 6 hours tops if it hadn't been for the inconvenience of having to go to work. As it was, I think it took me maybe about 10 or 12 hours from the time I cracked it until the time I finished it. I loved it. I tend to like post-apocalyptic sort of stories anyway, but this one especially grabbed my interest right from the start.

In some ways, it reminded me a little of "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson. The Hunger Games has a lottery of sorts where the kids 12-18 h I could have read this book in about 6 hours tops if it hadn't been for the inconvenience of having to go to work. As it was, I think it took me maybe about 10 or 12 hours from the time I cracked it until the time I finished it. I loved it. I tend to like post-apocalyptic sort of stories anyway, but this one especially grabbed my interest right from the start.

In some ways, it reminded me a little of "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson. The Hunger Games has a lottery of sorts where the kids 12-18 have to enter their names at least once a year. If drawn, they go to be one of 24 "tributes" to fight to the death on national TV. You can enter your name more than once per year in exchange for more food for your family. The protagonist, Katniss, has her name in about 20 times. Her little sister has it in once, since it's her first year of eligibility. But the little sister gets drawn, so Katniss volunteers to go in her place.

I also tend to like the girls kicking butt genre, so add that to the post-apocalyptic thing and you've got yourself a book that will likely thrill me. And Katniss does indeed kick butt. One of my favorite scenes was before the games started when she was required to show the Gamemasters her secret skill. She was the last to go because she's from the poorest district, so most of them weren't paying attention. She got pissed and her actions then ended up earning her the highest score of all the tributes in the Game. That's important because it means more people will sponsor you and get supplies you need to you in the arena.

Anyway, I thought that, for the kind of book it was, there was actually quite a good bit of character development. The author did well keeping you in suspense over a few things, notably the motivations of Peeta, Katniss' male counterpart from her district.

The author also had a decent amount of background on the world her characters live in. Not really very much, but enough to understand why the games happen. I would, however, like to know more about what happened to make the districts as they were in the book. ...more

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Oct 02, 2025 DeAnn rated it really liked it

Still 4 stars on my second read 14 years later.

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Apr 11, 2011 Kate rated it liked it

Read it, had a pang of guilt at being a "spectator," got over it, and got swallowed up. It's not great literature, but it's a totally engrossing, quick read, the way the best YA literature is! ...more

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May 06, 2010 Bridget rated it it was amazing

Read this! It's so fun, exciting...will surely be a great movie when it comes out. My 7th and 9th graders eat it up too. ...more

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Mar 19, 2010 Alisa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ya

oh man, so amazing! i read it in one day and can't wait for more. ...more

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Aug 05, 2010 Sara rated it it was amazing

Shelves: re-read, audio, 2025

The last time I read this (15 years ago!) I gave it four stars, but now I am giving it five. The audio book is well done and the story is still engaging, with the side characters seeming more individual than they are in my memory.

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